Letter 54

To Modestus. (359) Every effort I make on your behalf is a pleasure to me. Even if the matter we are laboring over is small, the mere fact of laboring for you is its own reward. You, however, endure great toils for great causes -- bearing the fierce sun for so long, running to and fro, adding action to deliberation, and through all this holding back a terrible wave that threatens to flood the land. But see how the worst is receding, and better things are approaching. The moment when the champion receives his crown is near.

**To Modestus** (359) Every labor on your behalf is a pleasure to me. For even if the matter for which we toil were a small one, the very act of toiling for you is itself my reward. You, however, endure labors both great and on behalf of great things — bearing so harsh a sun for so long a time, running about hither and thither, adding deeds to deliberations, and through all this holding back a wave that threatens to flood the land. But you see how the worse recedes, the better advances, and the crowning of the champion is near at hand.

Μοδέστῳ. (359) Ἐμοὶ πᾶς ὑπὲρ σοῦ πόνος ἡδύς. καὶ γὰρ ἂν μικρὸν ὑπὲρ οὗ πονοῦμεν ᾐ, τό γε ὑπὲρ σοῦ πονεῖν καρπὸς ἐμοί. σὺ μέντοι καὶ μεγάλους καὶ ὑπὲρ μεγάλων ὑπομένεις τοὺς πό- νοῦς βαρεῖαν μὲν οὕτως ἀκτῖνα τοσοῦτον ἀνεχόμενος χρόνον, περιτρέχων δὲ ἄνω καὶ κάτω, βουλαῖς δὲ ἔργα προστιθείς, διὰ δὲ τούτων κῦμα ἀνείργων δεινὸν ἐπικλύσαι τὴν γῆν. ἀλλ ὁρᾷς ὡς ὑπονοστεῖ μὲν τὰ χείρω, πρόσεισι δὲ τὰ βελτίω καὶ τὸ στεφανοῦσθαι τὸν ἀθλητὴν πλησίον.